Bulldog women maturing on the basketball court

BIG RAPIDS - It's reasonable to wonder if, earlier in the season, Ferris State University would have been able to win a game the way it did on Thursday against Northwood.

Ferris State's Lindsey Pettit sets for a free throw during Thursday night's game in Big Rapids against Northwood. (Photo/Ed Hyde, FSU Photographic Services)In the earlier meeting this season between the teams, on Jan. 23 in Midland, Ferris led by as many as 15 points (in the second half), but could not hang onto its lead. Northwood rallied late in the contest, thanks to a huge second-half run, and defeated the Bulldogs, 68-62. Considering Ferris had been in control much of the contest, it was a painful way to lose and a tough lesson to learn for a young team dogged by injuries.

"Last time we played them they went on a run in the second half and we just weren't able to stop them," sophomore guard Kelsey DeNoyelles said.

Flash forward to Thursday (Feb. 25) night. Jim Wink Arena, in Big Rapids, was the stage for the rematch between the teams - on Ferris' turf.

Coach Tracey Dorow's Bulldogs led by nine points in the game, with 4:21 to go, and by as many as 10 points in the second half against the Timberwolves. But, as was the case in Midland, Northwood turned up the intensity and went on a late run. Northwood cut Ferris' lead to one, on a layup by Pam Wilson with 42 seconds to play.

DeNoyelles' layup, with 4:21 to play, was the last two points Ferris would muster. As the Bulldogs went cold, Northwood started heat up.

In the end, the Bulldogs had to turn to defense and contested a late 3-point shot from Wilson that would have won the game. Ferris got the stop it needed, though not without some nervous moments, and held on for a 59-58 win.

"We didn't let that happen (Thursday)," DeNoyelles said about the big Northwood run that won the first meeting, but fell short as Ferris got a stop in the rematch. "This time, we executed a lot better down the stretch."

Even though Ferris is not battling for a playoff spot, Dorow was proud of the way her team competed against Northwood (a team that, even more so than Ferris, has been hurt by injuries throughout this season).

"We know that basketball is a game of spurts and we just have to stop them when we get a chance. We haven't been able to do that in a couple of games and it has cost us," Dorow said. "We hope Northwood does well in the tournament, but we're glad we got this win."